Introduction

Over the years, the study of human behaviour, particularly the deviant side, has been a fascinating topic when it comes to comprehending criminal justice. In the process of comprehending criminal activities, scholars have come up with various theories that attempt to explain why humans are deviants. In most cases, scientists have relied on secular theories like the concept of environment and poverty contributing to criminal behaviors. Despite all their efforts, the secular point of view fails to fully explain human deviance. Apparently, rebellious human conduct cannot be attributed to a single theory. As a result, it has left room for a spiritual perspective. That being so, biblical experts have turned to spiritual texts to try to provide a different point of view to comprehending criminality and human behaviors. Consequently, it has prompted the concept of the sinful nature concerning deviant behavior among some individuals. Ultimately, this paper seeks to draw on the scripture to explore the concept of sin nature in an attempt to illuminate its nature, origin, impacts, and role in criminal behavior.

Sin Nature Description

Biblically, the scripture provides an in-depth description of the sin nature. Through its numerous books and verses, the bible elucidates sin nature as humans’ innate aspect that makes them act against God’s laws. Fundamentally, it refers to the notion that individuals are conceived naturally inclined to deviance. This means that if a man is provided with an option to follow divine rules or act independently, they will definitely choose to act as per their will. In other words, it means that engaging in criminal activities comes naturally to humans. Notably, the history of the sin nature can be attributed to God’s first human creation eating the forbidden fruit in Edden. The act prompted humans to lose their original righteousness, leading to the fall and birth of sin (Genesis 3: 16-24, New International Version). This loss of primordial righteousness makes people deviant, hence the concept sin nature. Moreover, the bible points out that “indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20, New International Version). In this verse, King Solomon proves that sin is part of all humans, in which they are born. Most importantly, the sin nature also applies to children as the scripture points out that children are conceived with transgression. The scripture asserts, “Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalms 51:5, New International Version). David acknowledges that humans are born naturally with sin, and it is this nature that gives humans criminal behavior.

Getting the Sin Nature.

Human beings acquire sin nature through inheritance. Christian teachings illustrate that people are naturally sinful through inheritance by being born into a fallen world following the deviance of Adam and Eve. By consuming the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve ruined the initial connection between the divine being and mankind, as their actions prompted the initial sin. Their actions made humans inherit their sin nature. Evidently, “therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people because all sinned” (Romans 5:12, New International Version). Apostle Paul, in the aforementioned text, demonstrates the inheritance of sin from God’s first human creation. This is the reason people are born with sin, which they inherit. As illustrated above, David acknowledges that “surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalms 51:5, New International Version). Fundamentally, humans get sin nature from inheritance, whereby they are born with sin.

Overcoming Sin Nature

The fallen world following the inception of sin made humans inherit sin nature. It is essential to note that although humans inherited their sinful nature, God made a way for humanity to overcome the predicament. As evident from the scriptures, God sent Christ to provide a way for humanity to redeem themselves. It is through Jesus that people can overcome sinful nature as he offers salvation and redemption. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1^st Corinthians 15:22, New International Version). Apparently, a human’s sinful nature condemns people to death, but it is only through Christ that people can overcome their inclination to sin. The book of John also teaches, “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, New International Version). Even though the Creator sacrificed his son to pave the way, humans can only overcome their sinful nature by accepting Christ and following his teachings. It is up to the people to seek God through Jesus for them to defeat their inclination to sin.

Sin Nature Effects

Sin nature affects every aspect of human life. Its impacts include moral failings and societal decay. Fundamentally, humans with sin nature lack morals and obedience. This is pointed out by Paul, whereby he states, “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10, New International Version). As a result of moral failure, other behaviors manifest themselves in humans, like theft, deceit, and criminality. In the long run, these behaviors negatively impact the relationship among community members and the societal moral fabric. In addition, the sin nature negatively impacts the communion between humans and God. Notably, it alienates one from God and pushes them to worldly desires. These worldly desires often end up in people engaging in criminal activities. In addition to a personal level, sinful nature also impacts society and causes it to decay. This is evident in the illustration of the fallen world following Adam and Eve’s deviant behavior. For example, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor, you will give birth to children. Your desires will be of your husband, and he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16, New International Version). These are all effects of sin nature on society, which also includes toil and hardship that comes with labor.

Sin Nature’s Role in Criminal Behavior

To a greater extent, the sin nature provides a rationale for humans’ criminal activity. This is because crime is deeply rooted in humans’ nature of engaging in sinful activities. As mentioned above, the sin nature refers to man’s innate behavior of rebellion against God’s teachings. This demonstrates that humans are born naturally to rebel against regulations and engage in criminal activities. Besides, the scripture notes, “indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20, New International Version). Through this perspective, it is evident that some people are destined to engage in criminal activities, which is part of their nature. People are born with sin, which also means that criminals are born criminals.

The scripture also teaches Christians not to trouble themselves as everything will be provided by the Creator. “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds or the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26, New International Version). Fundamentally, the aforementioned concept instructs humans not to have worldly desires, as God is the provider. Despite the instructions, the sin nature makes people naturally inclined to want more, which prompts criminal behavior. This inclination is sinful as it goes against the scripture in that wanting more than what God provides has pushed a lot of people to engage in criminal activities.

In addition, before the removal of mankind from Eden, the Creator was always with mankind. God was physically walking in their company, whereby they even interacted. According to Genesis, “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8, New International Version). However, after the duo sinned and humans lost their righteousness, God separated himself from humans. This gave birth to the sin nature, whereby, as a result, humans were left to communicate among themselves. These communications, at times, included criminal activities. Given their sinful nature, humans have gone to great heights to get what they want, which has often led to causing harm to others and, hence, criminal behavior.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is evident that no single criminal theory fully explains human behaviors. Clearly, apart from secular theories, it has come out clearly that biblical theories also play a crucial role in explaining human behaviors. From the above discussion, it is notable that sin nature refers to people’s inclination to sin. This is because humans inherit sin and are born with it. It is through this inclination that people engage in criminal behaviors. Fundamentally, humans tend to engage in criminal activities because they are born naturally deviant. Besides, the sinful nature of humans makes them criminal as it involves rebellion against regulations.